NEW YORK — The real winners of Thursday night’s MVP ceremony had four legs and wagging tails. While Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani received baseball’s highest individual honors, their ‘Most Valuable Pets’ took center stage with moments that drew more attention than the award announcements. Fans spent the night talking more about the unexpected pet cameos than the MVP races themselves.
Ohtani’s Dutch Kooikerhondje, Decoy, returned to the national broadcast for the third straight year. The dog sat between the Dodgers star and his wife Mamiko Tanaka during the MLB Network telecast. When Don Mattingly announced Ohtani as the National League MVP, the four time winner leaned over and kissed Decoy instead of his wife.
The scene spread across social media within minutes. Ohtani marked his unanimous MVP win by giving Decoy a kiss as Mamiko looked on. The family appeared coordinated in brown tones, giving fans a color matched snapshot that quickly made the rounds online.
Judge’s dogs bark their approval
Across the American League broadcast, Judge’s dachshunds, Gus and Penny, turned the MVP reveal into a loud celebration of their own. The two small dogs jumped and barked as Mattingly named Judge the winner over Cal Raleigh for his third MVP trophy.
“From one Yankees great to another,” MLB posted on social media as the video played of Gus and Penny bouncing on the couch beside Judge and his wife Samantha.
The moment offered a sharp contrast to the calm scene in the Ohtani household. Decoy sat still through the announcement, moving only when prompted by Ohtani. Judge’s dogs had the opposite reaction. They barked and hopped around as if welcoming their dad home after a long trip. Judge smiled as the Yankees captain watched their excitement fill the room.
Some observers pointed out the amusing visual of the 6 foot 7 Yankees slugger being overshadowed by dogs small enough to fit inside a handbag. Judge has been spotted walking the pair around New York City throughout the season. Yankees fans have embraced the image, often sharing photos of the towering star with his tiny pups.
Decoy continues his MVP streak
This year marked Decoy’s third straight appearance during Ohtani’s MVP celebrations. The dog has become a popular figure in Dodgers culture. The team held a bobblehead giveaway featuring Ohtani with Decoy, and the dog even delivered a ceremonial first pitch at Dodger Stadium in August 2024.
“Decoy is the Most Valuable Pup 3 years in a row,” MLB posted on Thursday, noting the dog’s perfect record at MVP events.
The Kooikerhondje, whose Japanese name Dekopin refers to a forehead flick, now enjoys celebrity status among baseball fans. Decoy received an honorary travel visa from the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo and joined the Dodgers’ World Series parade, where children lined up to meet him.
Ohtani once explained that he went with the English name Decoy because he thought fans in the United States might struggle to say Dekopin. The choice proved useful as Decoy has become one of the most recognizable pets in the sport.
Cultural moment sparks debate
Ohtani’s kiss on Decoy also stirred a wave of reaction online. Many fans joked about the contrast between the two MVP celebrations. Mickey McLean highlighted the difference on social media, pointing out that Ohtani kissed his dog while Judge kissed his wife.
Other fans defended Ohtani by pointing to cultural norms. One reminded critics that public displays of affection are rare on Japanese television. They argued that the moment reflected comfort level and cultural background rather than anything about Ohtani’s relationship with Mamiko.
“You don’t know Japanese culture,” one fan wrote. “They don’t kiss on TV. Stop using your American standard to see the world.”
Much of the debate did not address the simple connection between Ohtani and his dog. After sitting quietly through the broadcast, Decoy received attention from his owner, who had just joined Barry Bonds as only the second player to win four MVP awards.
Yankees dogs join exclusive club
Judge’s dogs have developed their own following among Yankees supporters. The team sold plush toys of Gus and Penny at Yankee Stadium this season. The dachshunds have appeared on the field with Judge during special events, adding to their growing popularity.
Their reaction during the MVP reveal looked genuine. Samantha Judge remained composed beside her husband as Gus and Penny bounced in excitement. Many Yankees fans expressed the same emotion after Judge secured his third MVP award.
The display from the dogs also helped soften Judge’s normally measured presence. The Yankees slugger, who hit .331 with 53 home runs this year, smiled as his pets jumped around him.
Baseball goes to the dogs
Thursday night’s ceremony showed that stars come in many forms. Judge and Ohtani added major achievements to their resumes with historic MVP wins. Their dogs reminded viewers that the game still has room for personality and light moments.
Decoy’s streak of MVP showings now stands at three years. Future winners might find it difficult to match that record. Gus and Penny showed that reactions from pets can sometimes capture more attention than numbers on a stat sheet.
The dogs did not know that Ohtani joined Barry Bonds in the four MVP club. They did not know that Judge became the fourth Yankees player to win three MVPs. They celebrated their owners, turning a formal announcement into a scene that reached far beyond baseball fans.
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